NATO supports ‘constructive dialogue’ between Erbil, Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The NATO Secretary General on Tuesday said they support dialogue between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government to resolve disputes through peaceful means.

Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Alliance Organization (NATO) in a press conference on Tuesday urged Baghdad and Erbil to not resort to violence.

Responding to Kurdistan 24’s correspondent, Stoltenberg said, “We would like very much to see constructive negotiations between the Peshmerga forces and the government of Baghdad.”

Stoltenberg added that “any use of violence will undermine the fight against terrorism.”

The acting Minister of Peshmerga, Kareem Sinjari, following a meeting with the anti-Islamic State (IS) Coalition on Monday stated that the dialogue between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army is still ongoing. "The KRG has sent its proposals to the Iraqi side and awaits their response.”

Sinjari revealed that despite negotiations, the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi arms buildup and military movements have increased.

The KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani in a press conference on Monday stated that the KRG wants to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution—an initiative Baghdad has rejected.

He explained that the disputes cannot be solved by force but through constructive and diplomatic dialogues.

Editing by Sam A.